Chalk one up for the good guys. There’s actually a judge in Europe that understands the meaning of Freedom of Speech (or the press, in this case, but it’s all the same.) I’m sure we all remember the reaction that the very tolerant, peaceful, non-violent, moderate Muslim population of the world when a Danish newspaper published several cartoons that depicted Islam and its false prophet, Muhammad, in a bad light. The Muslims of the world became intolerant, warlike, violent, and extremist, just as their “prophet” was depicted in the cartoons. Riots sprung up everywhere. For the most part, they were directed at Denmark and the newspaper, Jyllands-Posten, which was a minor miracle in itself as neither has anything to do with the US and Israel (although the old US/Zionist plot theme was resurrected by some).

Lost in all of the riots, burning embassies, and death threats from all of those tolerant, peaceful, non-violent, moderate Muslims was evidence that at least some members of the Religion of Peace have adopted western ways. Whereas typical Muslims take their anger out by murder, arson, and breach of the peace, these Muslims used that old Western tradition: “If you can’t beat ‘em, sue ‘em”. According to an Associated Press article today, “seven Muslim groups filed [a] defamation lawsuit against [Jyllands-Posten] in March [seeking] $16,860 in damages from Jyllands-Posten Editor in Chief Carsten Juste and Culture Editor Flemming Rose, who supervised the cartoon project.” They filed the suit after Danish prosecutors did not file charges against the paper for violating laws against racism and blasphemy.

Read that again. Danish prosecutors did not file charges against the paper for violating laws against racism and blasphemy. The article notes, in fact, that charges were not filed because prosecutors felt the cartoons did not violate those laws. That the laws are there in the first place tells me that Denmark doesn’t value free speech. If you can make a law restricting racially or religiously charged speech, you can make laws against lots of other “offensive” speech, can’t you?

Well, the judge in the case, apparently feels the same way as the prosecutors (I’m sure the tolerant, peaceful, non-violent, moderate reaction to the cartoons had nothing to do with this ruling). Specifically, the court said in its ruling, "It cannot be ruled out that the drawings have offended some Muslims' honor, but there is no basis to assume that the drawings are, or were conceived as, insulting or that the purpose of the drawings was to present opinions that can belittle Muslims."

That a suit like that can make it into any court in any country that calls itself free is distasteful. Any judge with any understanding of basic human rights would chuck that suit right out the nearest window. Were I a judge (and before I were impeached for abuse of power) I’d hold the plaintiffs and their lawyers in contempt of court just for bringing it up. ‘Course, there’s a reason I’m not a judge. That the judge in this case said that there was no case is heartwarming. There’s still people out there willing to do what they can to fight Islamist oppression, whether on the battlefield, in the Press, or in the courtroom.

HJG

 

A couple of years ago, I put together a list that was of the same variety as “you might be a redneck.” What I did was basically take some typical, well known positions liberals take on various matters, and compared them with some pretty idiotic propositions that go the other way (With apologies to Jeff Foxworthy):

 

(A word of note: these were written in 2004, just before the election.  For Michael Moore and John Kerry, you can substitute just about any liberal if you like) Read and enjoy:

 

• If you believe that all corporations are out for the betterment of mankind, you’re an idiot.
• If you believe that all corporations are the putative embodiment of evil, you’re a liberal.

 

• If you believe that capital punishment should be used for a wide and varied range of crimes, you’re an idiot.
• If you believe that convicted mass murderers have more right to live than an un-born child, you’re a liberal.

 

• If you believe that all blacks are less than whites, you’re a bigoted idiot.
• If you believe that all white conservatives are bigoted idiots, you’re a liberal.

 

• If you believe that the American Indians were entirely to blame for every problem between European Settlers and American Indians, you’re an idiot.
• If you believe that the European Settlers were entirely to blame for every problem between European Settlers and American Indians, you’re a liberal.

 

• If you believe that 11 September is the fault of the Muslim Community as a whole, you’re an idiot.
• If you believe that 11 September is the fault of the United States, you’re a liberal.

 

• If you believe that it’s perfectly OK to offend anyone you please at any time, you’re an idiot (or Howard Stern. Oh, wait, I’m being redundant)
• If you believe that it’s only OK to offend White, Christian, Conservative, Straight Males, you’re a liberal.

 

• If you believe that the government should go away entirely, you’re an idiot.
• If you believe that the government should run every aspect of the lives of its people (except abortion and sex), you’re a liberal.

 

• If you believe in Theocracy, you’re an idiot.
• If you believe that the government should be completely atheist, you’re a liberal.

 

• If you’re offended by the fact that someone worships differently than you, you’re an idiot.
• If you’re offended by the fact that someone worships at all, you’re a liberal.

 

• If you believe that President Bush is absolutely right, all of the time, you’re an idiot.
• If you believe that Michael Moore is absolutely right, all of the time, you’re a liberal.

 

• If you believe without question every single charge that was ever offered against John Kerry regardless of the evidence, you’re an idiot.
• If you believe without question every single charge that was ever offered against George W. Bush regardless of the evidence, you’re a liberal.

 

• If you think George W. Bush is the Greatest President we have ever had, you’re an idiot.
• If you think Bill Clinton was the Greatest President we have ever had, you’re a liberal.
• If you think that everyone should have access to any kind of gun in any quantity, regardless of age or criminal background, and that they should be totally readily available without any form of control, you’re an idiot.
• If you think that no one should ever have anything remotely resembling a gun, you’re a liberal.

 

• If you think that no one should ever have anything remotely resembling pornography, you’re an idiot.
• If you think that everyone should have access to any kind of pornography in any quantity, regardless of age or criminal background, and that it should be totally readily available without any form of control, you’re a liberal.

 

• If you believe that we should alienate the rest of the world, totally close our borders to any people or goods (including tourists), and make everyone else angry to our supposed benefit, you’re an idiot.
• If you believe that we should capitulate to the rest of the world, totally open our borders to all people and goods (including drugs and terrorists), and make everyone else happy at our expense, you’re a liberal.

 

• If you believe that the only language spoken in America is English, you’re an idiot.
• If you believe that America mustn’t have one official language (English), you’re a liberal.

 

• If you believe that only White men are to be allowed to vote, you’re an idiot.
• If you believe that non-citizens are to be allowed to vote, you’re a liberal.

 

• If you believe that we should let businesses do what ever they wish at the expense of the environment, you’re an idiot.
• If you believe that we must crush all economic development to protect the environment, you’re a liberal.

 

HJG